Myanmar allows direct aid to cyclone-hit areas

Xinhua Yangon, May 28 (Xinhua) Myanmar authorities have said it would allow personal donations from individuals and organisations directly to people in cyclone-hit areas, the state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar reported Wednesday. Officials have advised the donors to seek help from the National Disaster Preparedness Committee (NDPC) for donations, the report said.

“Individuals and organisations willing to donate to a storm-hit area of their choice may do so directly so that the relief operation could be carried out more effectively,” NDPC announced.

“In that regard, assistance may be sought from the NDPC at different levels,” it said.

The announcement came amid complaints from individuals and group donors that their emergency relief supplies meant for the victims have been blocked by the authorities for failing to produce legal permits to conduct such work.

Myanmar has claimed that a total of 5,276.42 tonnes of aid supplies have been delivered to the cyclone-hit areas.

The government has received 6,632.052 tonnes of emergency relief so far from local donors, including food, consumer goods and construction materials. Around 1,209.078 tonnes of aid supplies were received from foreign donors.

The relief materials have been transported to 21 cyclone-affected townships in south-western Irrawaddy division and three townships in Yangon division. Xinhua